We know geographic atrophy (GA) can negatively impact patients’ quality of life and independence. While it still cannot be cured, Texas Retina is excited to finally have two new GA treatment options – Syfovre and Izervay — to slow the disease’s progression and help protect patients’ vision. We are also actively involved in several clinical trials evaluating other potential new GA therapies.

Syfovre (intravitreal pegcetacoplan) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year as the first-ever treatment for GA secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In August, the FDA approved a second GA treatment – Izervay (avacincaptad pegol intravitreal solution). In clinical trials, both Syfovre and Izervay reduced the rate of GA lesion growth by about 35-36%.

Syfovre and Izervay are administered as intravitreal injections and are designed to regulate the complement cascade, part of the body’s immune system that leads to the onset and progression of GA. However, the two therapies work in different ways: Syfovre targets the C3 protein, and Izervay inhibits the C5 protein.

Texas Retina was actively involved in the clinical trials that led to the approvals of Syfovre (OAKS and DERBY) and Izervay (GATHER1 and GATHER2). We are also part of the extension study (GALE) that is evaluating the long-term impact of Syfovre, and the open-label extension study for Izervay (for patients enrolled in GATHER2).

Additional GA Clinical Trials Underway
Our physicians are continuing to explore other potential new GA treatments, including gene therapies. On June 1, 2023, Ashkan Abbey, MD, dosed the first patient in the Phase II SIGLEC Trial, a clinical study evaluating AVD-104, a novel glycan-coated intravitreal nanoparticle designed to alleviate chronic, non-resolving inflammation that can occur with GA. Additional GA studies currently underway at Texas Retina include:

  • Gyroscope EXPLORE Gene Therapy – A Phase II trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of two doses of GT005 administered as a single subretinal injection
  • Parasol – A Phase II trial evaluating intravitreal JNJ-81201887 (AAVCAGsCD59)

Click here to learn more about all of the clinical trials available at Texas Retina.